The death toll from the Morocco earthquake has also risen to 820, with hundreds injured, according to a new tally from the Ministry of Interior, following the strong earthquake that struck Morocco on the night of Friday to Saturday, causing severe damage.

In a statement from the ministry on Saturday: "As of 7:00 AM, 632 deaths and 329 injuries have been recorded, including 51 serious injuries." The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Al Haouz region, southwest of Marrakech.

The National Center for Scientific Research and Technology, based in Rabat, stated that the earthquake's magnitude reached 7 on the Richter scale and that its epicenter is in the Al Haouz region.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that it "has not recorded earthquakes of this magnitude within 500 kilometers of the Morocco earthquake since 1900."

Moroccan media reported a large mobilization in health institutions and calls for blood donations to assist earthquake victims. Moroccan media described the earthquake as the strongest to hit the kingdom.

Nasser Jabour, head of a department at the National Institute of Geophysics in Morocco, stated: "This is the first time in a century that the center has recorded such a violent earthquake in Morocco." The National Center for Scientific Research and Technology, based in Rabat, noted that the earthquake's magnitude reached 7 on the Richter scale and that its epicenter is in the Al Haouz region.

The Ministry of Interior indicated that the authorities "mobilized all resources and capabilities to intervene, provide assistance, and assess the damage."

The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale according to the American Geophysical Institute. Its epicenter was determined to be southwest of the tourist city of Marrakech, 320 km south of the capital, Rabat.

According to witnesses and images circulated on social media, the earthquake caused material damage.

In one of the areas of Al Haouz, the earthquake's epicenter, a family was trapped under the rubble after their house collapsed, according to media reports.

The website "Media 24" quoted medical sources stating that there is a "massive influx" of injured individuals to Marrakech hospitals.

Residents of Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Essaouira felt the earthquake, which caused panic.

Many citizens took to the streets in these cities for fear of their houses collapsing, according to images circulated on social media.

Images and videos posted by internet users showed debris from homes in the alleys of Marrakech and cars damaged by falling stones.

"Shock and Panic"

Abdel Haq El Omrani (33 years old), a resident of Marrakech, told Agence France-Presse by phone: "Around 11:00 PM, we felt a very violent tremor, and I realized it was an earthquake. I saw buildings moving. Then I went outside and saw many people out there. Everyone was in a state of shock and panic. Children were crying, and parents were in disbelief."

He added: "The power went out for ten minutes, as did the (phone) network, but it returned. Everyone decided to stay outside."

According to images posted on social media, two people were injured due to part of a minaret collapsing at the famous Jamaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech.

Faisal Bedour (58 years old), a resident of the city, said: "I was on my way home when the earthquake struck. My car was swaying, but I never imagined it would be an earthquake."

He added, "I stopped and realized the disaster. What happened was very serious; I felt like a river was violently overflowing. The screaming and crying were unbearable."

Another resident of Essaouira, located 200 km west of Marrakech, told Agence France-Presse by phone: "We heard screams during the earthquake. People are in the squares and cafes and prefer to sleep outside. Parts have fallen from the facades."

The earthquake occurred shortly after 11:00 PM (22:11 UTC). Its depth was estimated at about 18.5 kilometers according to the American Geophysical Institute.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, a scientific organization specializing in seismic activity in the Mediterranean region, estimated the earthquake's magnitude at 6.9.

Residents in several areas in western Algeria also felt the earthquake, but the Algerian civil defense said it caused no damage or injuries.

On February 24, 2004, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the province of Al Hoceima, 400 km northeast of Rabat, resulting in 628 deaths and significant material damage.

On February 29, 1960, an earthquake destroyed the city of Agadir located on the country's western coast, resulting in more than 12,000 deaths, or one-third of the city's population.